Tag: barn owl

I’ve been working on painting a barn owl and have a few photos to show how it all came together.

Happy Sunday, friends! 😊

I started off with a simple sketch. It is important that the big shapes are positioned correctly and that your proportions look good. No detail is needed at this point, just light lines to serve as a guide.

Next I added a few small ink details with a Micron pen. The eyes are very dark so I like to use a pen to outline them to get the shape set before putting down any paint.

I used Daniel Smith watercolors for my owl. I started out by wetting the paper in sections and dropping in color allowing it to mix and mingle on right on the paper.

The first wash of quinacridone gold, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna. It doesn’t look good at this point but it gets better with each wash.

The second wash with more definition. Things are now starting to take shape. I’m not sure why this photo has a rosy glow but hopefully that’s not a distraction.

Barn owl – 9 x 12 inch Stillman & Birn beta sketchbook

The final wash added even more detail and deeper color. I love watching the transformation with this type of post. I hope you enjoyed it as well.

For me this post reinforces the importance of three washes and that getting the eyes dark enough makes a big difference.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do what you love. Art is for everyone, keep painting, creating, and having fun!